September 21, 2010

Ashoka’s Changemakers, National Geographic, and the Inter-American Development Bank are hosting the Geotourism Challenge 2010: Places on the Edge: Saving Coastal and Freshwater Destinations competition to find innovative solutions for coastal, waterway, and island destinations that protect the environment and strengthen the heritage and livelihoods of local residents.

The Places on the Edge competition is open to all types of individuals and organizations (charitable organizations, private companies, or public entities). The competition seeks submissions describing sustainable models that enhance the unique character and beauty of oceans, rivers, bays, lakes, estuaries, and waterways, and the culture and heritage of their inhabitants.

Entries should describe innovative ideas that engage and educate tourists and local residents; prevent or curb pollution and waste; protect wildlife, coral reefs, and fisheries; and promote construction of innovative sustainable structures that withstand natural disasters like hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Innovations may include creative applications of technology, cultural and business practices, science, policies, and social organization.

To be eligible for awards, entries must indicate growth beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated impact and sustainability. While the competition’s sponsors support new ideas at every stage and encourage their entry, the judges are better able to evaluate programs that are beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated a proof of impact.

Entries may be submitted in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

The top three entries will win $5,000 each. The best two entries submitted by the early entry deadline of October 20, 2010, will be eligible to each win $500. Through the Multilateral Investment Fund Opportunity 2010, the IADB and MIF will provide a total of up to $5 million of co-financing for competition entries that provide innovative ideas for sustainable destination management by micro- to medium-sized companies in the Latin America and the Caribbean region.